Manitoba’s New Democratic Party and Liberal Party announced a host of worker-friendly campaign promises over the Labour Day weekend, with both parties committing to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The province’s minimum wage, one of the lowest in Canada, is currently $11.35 an hour. It’s set to increase to $11.65 on Oct. 1, […]
On Sept. 1, federally regulated employers will see the impact of several changes to the Canada Labour Code, including the new right for employees to request flexible working arrangements, as well as new leaves and other measures supporting workplace flexibility. “The changes to the code . . . will support employees in achieving better work-life […]
In a recent case, the Ontario Superior Court found an employee failed to mitigate damages when he refused a return-to-work offer from his employer, with whom he had a good working relationship. In the case, Gent v. Strone Inc., the plaintiff, David Gent, had been employed for 23 years by Strone Inc., first as a carpenter and then […]
More than half (54 per cent) of Canadians believe training around workplace harassment and violence should occur annually, while 28 per cent said it should take place every three years or more, according to the results of the federal government’s online consultation. The survey, which polled 1,000 Canadians about new legislation on workplace harassment and […]
Following the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s decision in a landmark age discrimination case last year, former high school teacher Steve Talos has reached a settlement with the Grand Erie District School Board. Though Ontario abolished mandatory retirement in 2006, it still allowed employers to terminate benefits plans for workers age 65 and over. In […]
In response to months of pressure from employees, Google Inc. said last week it will no longer require employees to settle disputes with the company through arbitration. The change, which will take effect March 21, 2019, will apply to current and future employees. Last year, Google said it would end mandatory arbitration — which requires employees […]
The federal government has established an independent expert panel to study the complex workplace issues facing Canadian employers and employees. The nature of work is changing and so are the needs of Canadian workers, noted a press release, and a modern set of federal labour standards that reflect these changes will better protect Canadian workers, helping set […]
Many of the changes that were introduced to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act in January 2018 were short-lived, as the province’s new government elected in June last year is rolling out its own amendments. With the new changes taking effect on Jan. 1, 2019, here’s a summary of the key ways Bill 47 is changing the previous […]
With a baby due in March, Ashley Bangsund and her partner Nick Goodall didn’t think twice about whether to take the traditional 12 months of employment insurance parental benefits or opt for the new 18-month extended version introduced by the federal government in December 2017. “The longer leave feels too long to go with a […]
In 2018, several significant employment and labour law changes were rolled out across Canada, especially in Ontario, which saw a change of government in June. “These changes will no doubt have an important impact on your workplace,” said Chelsea Rasmussen, an employment and labour law associate at Dentons LLP, speaking during a webinar hosted by the law firm last […]